Following
their recent third placing in the North West Women's League it was decided that
all ladies who had represented the club in the league would receive bronze
medals. Congratulations to Gill Bacon, Cecilia Fitzsimons, Louise Casey, Pam
Appleton, Julia Eccleston, Chris Dempsey, Janet Holmes and Pauline Picton. Many
thanks to the League for providing the medals.

The first
race in the Cheshire League at Castle Park, Frodsham, on Sunday 29 December will be at 12.30.p.m.and involves different age groups. Please arrive
at the venue by
11.45
a.m. at the latest. The normal start is at the highest point of the
venue.

Race
Date Amendments

The Mayor
of Knowsley 10k on Sunday 20 April and the Croxteth 10k have both been
cancelled, the former because of a clash with the Halton Bridge race and the
latter because Croxteth Park is being used for a dog show.

Northern
Track & Field League

Some of
the venues for 2003 have been changed, most notably the combined first fixture
which is now at Stretford and the second women's match which will be held at
Blackburn instead of Warrington. All changes have been incorporated into the
fixture list both at the club and on the website. The same rule applies - take
your holidays some other time, not on these weekends!!!!

National
Cross Country Championships

The
National Cross Country Championships take place at Parliament Hill Fields on
Saturday 22 February. A circular has been distributed asking individuals if they
wish to compete and - if they do - whether they would like to travel on the day
or stay over. The programme is as follows:-

The
closing date is early in the new year therefore entry fees must be given to
Phil Thomas as soon as possible and before Christmas in any case. Travel
arrangements can be sorted out with those who will be competing. In 2002
we had a senior men's team, let's increase our representation in 2003

Northern
Vest for Gill:

Following
her outstanding performance in the North West Women's League Gill Bacon has
been selected to represent the Northern Counties in the Inter-Area
fixture which is run in conjunction with the Reebok Challenge at Edinburgh
this coming Saturday - 14 December. Gill becomes the first St
Helens-Sutton senior lady to earn this well deserved honour. Gill will not be
the only St Helens-Sutton runner taking part, Mike Burke is hoping to be
fit enough to contest the under 13 Boys' race. We wish them both the best of
luck and much more success.

News From Committee:

Sports Hall:

Dr Phil Thomas, one of our level 3 coaches, has agreed to take
over the direction and thrust of Sports Hall provision until current level 1
coaches complete their level 2 training. Sports Hall athletics is designed to
provide enjoyment for children and identify specific talents for future
development. Phil will be joined by Dave Morley who is qualified in TOPS
provision and will be devising new games for the younger children.Phil is inviting all interested coaches and parents to provide him
with their thoughts and comments on the club’s strategy for Sports Hall. Sue
Clague has been added to the team of coaches. Julia
Hayes
remains as team manager, organising team selection for the forthcoming
matches. The next match takes place on Sunday 26 January at Kingsway Sports
Hall, Kingsway, Widnes. As there are non- scoring events, everyone is invited to
take part.

Sports Grants:

The club has made a number of grant applications for grants to facilitate
coaching education and practice. One application is for medicine balls for all
age groups to improve both strength and technique training for field events.

Coaching Coordination:

Sue Clague is currently identifying coaching needs amongst our throwers and
jumpers for the post-Christmas period. Sue will be talking to athletes and
parents about the plans for individual coaching for athletes who need both
technical and strength training.

St Helens M.B.C:

Chairman Ray Vose, Dave Morley, John Irwin, Julia Hayes and Phil Thomas met
Council officials on 21 November to discuss issues of mutual interest. We have
been made aware of the Council’s views on athletic development, their work in
the schools and support for the club as the town’s athletic
representatives. St Helens-Sutton A C are fully committed to working with
St Helens M.B.C. to provide
the environment in which athletics can develop for everyone with an interest in the
sport, irrespective of talent or
socio-economic
background. New communication channels have been established and we look
forward to a long and productive partnership.

Christmas Handicap

The Christmas cross country handicap will take place on Sunday, 22
December, time to be advised. All club members are invited to take part.
Contrary to rumours emanating from Committee, Phil Thomas will not be running
this year but all other Committee members are, with the exception of Julia Hayes
who is recording. Ian White has put an entry form up on the Board for names.
Make sure yours goes up as soon as possible.

Presentation Evening.

Tickets are available for the presentation evening on Friday 31 January. The
venue is
Penlake Social Club. Tickets are selling fast at £2.50 a time. Don't
miss out - buy yours from Julia Hayes as soon as possible.
Please note although we are taking the opportunity of presenting prizes to our
young athletes, the event is open to senior members of other clubs, especially
those who are attracted by the provision of a bar and food.

Child Protection

In accordance with UK Athletics Guidelines we will not be showing any
pictures of children on our website without parental permission and, in the case
of females, will restrict such pictures to head and shoulders only. Parents with
an awareness of the potential dangers of the misuse of the internet will
understand the reasons for this restriction. Full details will be provided in
the club’s child protection policy when it is published.

Young Athletes League

The Boys’ and Girls’ Track and Field Leagues have agreed to amalgamate so
the club will be competing as a single unit during the summer months. Bearing in
mind the over-riding importance of schoolwork, coaches are making flexible
arrangements with individual athletes to accommodate mock exams in the coming
months.

Road Race : 16 March 2003

Janet Holmes is handling the entries for the road race, for which we have
already received the first entry (Race limit 250 per event). John Irwin is
re-measuring the course for accuracy. Active consideration is being given to
medals for all those who take part. Please direct all enquiries to Janet who is
currently injured and unable to compete. We will also require about 20 marshals
for the event.

Officials’ Exams:

Pam Appleton, Janet Holmes, Sue Clague, Frank Vose
and Ray Vose are taking
their timekeeping exams this month while Frank Atkinson, Joe Ehlen, Danny McLoughlin, John Irwin and Phil Thomas will be taking the field events test. We
wish them all the best.

County and Northern Championships

Ray Vose now has the forms for the above championships and will be submitting
them to the organising bodies in the very near future. If you want to enter
please contact Ray as soon as possible.

Membership:

A further 31 memberships were recorded during November. A number of existing
members' subscriptions are still outstanding . Those members are asked to pay as
soon as possible. A list of outstanding subscriptions will be placed in the
clubhouse as a reminder.

Congratulations

Were recorded to Mike Burke, Mike Ehlen and Jodie Nelson on their selection
for their respective county schools’ teams at Coventry recently. The
Merseyside Schools Championships are to be held at Stadt Moers Park, Whiston on
18 January, 2003.

Next Committee Meeting

The next Committee meeting will be on Tuesday 17 December at 8.30.p.m. to
avoid clashing with Christmas shopping, parties and the many other
festivities which take place at this time of year. Anyone with business
they want the Committee to consider should contact Julia Hayes as soon as
possible.

Christmas Training

As the Sports Centre will be closed on Tuesday 24th,
Thursday 26th & Tuesday31st December no track training will take
place on those evenings. Training at the track will re-commence on Thursday 2
January 2003. Athletes who are running in the Cheshire League on
Sunday 29 December and the County Championships over the first weekend
in January will be training at different times and in various places during the
Christmas and New Year period. Please see your coach for your own training
details.

Seasonal Greetings

2002 has been a watershed in the history of St
Helens-Sutton A C. We have every reason to believe 2003 will be even better. The
Committee wish all members a very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.